NIDA alumni are busy on stage and backstage across a wide variety of theatre productions all around the country. Below is just sample of where you can see some of these great performances – and catch some of the incredible creative work of alumni – in the coming months.
Trawlwoolway/Palawa woman Chelsea Hawke (Musical Theatre, 2019) plays Kay and Oliver Wenn (Acting, 2005) plays Dave in the beloved First Nations musical The Sapphires, directed by Mike Smith (Acting, 2005) and touring nationally until September.
At Sydney Lyric Theatre, Mary Poppins the Musical features Gareth Isaac (MFA Voice, 2021), Stephen Anderson (Singer Dancer Actor, 2006), Robert Grubb (Acting, 1978) and Cara Bessey (Musical Theatre, 2017), with resident director Liam McIlwain (MFA Directing, 2020). A wide array of alumni are working behind the scenes also, including head of props Jemima Snars (Properties, 2009), stage manager Luke Woodham (Technical Production, 2003), assistant stage manager/props Toby Rosengarten (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2016), fly operator Matthew Hinton (Scenic Construction and Technologies, 2021), stage technicians Lily McHugh (Live Production and Technical Services, 2020), Mackenzie Cullimore (Live Production and Technical Services, 2018), Matthew Milne (Live Production and Technical Services, 2018), follow spot operator Luka Tsalis (Live Production and Technical Services, 2020), swing electrician Wun Zee (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2019), dressers Samantha Manning (Costume, 2021) and Phoenix McKay (BFA Design for Performance, 2021), wig and make-up assistant Abigail Smith (Specialist Make-up Services, 2019), deputy head chaperone Jack Dawson (Musical Theatre, 2015) and dialect coach Jack Starkey-Gill (MFA Voice, 2021).
FANGIRLS cast. Image: Dayna Ransley
Tonieka Del Rosario (Musical Theatre, 2020) and Mel O’Brien (Musical Theatre, 2019) are currently gracing the stage as Bri and Lily in FANGIRLS at the Sydney Opera House Drama theatre.
Melissa Kahraman in The Almighty Sometimes. Image: Queensland Theatre
In Brisbane, The Almighty Sometimes is presented by Queensland Theatre and stars Melissa Kahraman (Acting, 2019) and Rachel Gordon (Acting, 1996), with design by Simone Romaniuk (Design, 2003) and lighting design by Ben Hughes (MFA Cultural Leadership, 2019).
Cast of The Comedy of Errors. Image: Brett Boardman
Bell Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors is on tour, starring Julia Billington as Dromio of Syracuse, Joseph Althouse as Luciano and Skyler Ellis as Antiphilus of Syracuse, with set and costume design by Hugh O’Connor (Design, 2013), lighting design by Kelsey Lee (BFA Design for Performance, 2018), and Samantha Chester (Movement Studies, 2002) as movement director.
Coming up at Griffin Theatre Company, Whitefella Yella Tree stars Guy Simon (Acting, 2010) and is co-directed by recent grad Amy Sole (Directing, 2022), with design by Mason Browne (Design, 2003) and lighting design by Kelsey Lee (BFA Design for Performance, 2018). The show’s composer and sound designer is Steve Toulmin (Technical Production, 2006) and stage manager is Isabella Kerdijk (Production Management, 2008).
Adolphus Waylee (Acting, 2021) and Leinad Walker (Acting, 2020) will appear in American Classic A Raisin in the Sun at Sydney Theatre Company, which features lighting design by Verity Hampson (Technical Production, 2005), Zindzi Okenyo (Acting, 2006) as dramaturg and Jennifer White as voice coach.
In Melbourne, Caroline Craig (Acting, 1999) and Callan Colley (Acting, 2016) star in Anna K, written by Suzie Miller (Playwrights, 2000) and directed by Carissa Licciardello (MFA Directing, 2017) at Malthouse Theatre.
Next month, Toby Blome (Acting, 2017), Garth Holcombe, (Acting, 2006), Rob Jago (Acting, 2003), Jake Speer (Acting, 2012) and Gareth Yuen (Acting, 2005) will star in Photograph 51, which is inspired by true events of Scientist Rosalind Franklin’s pioneering work into DNA at the Ensemble Theatre, Sydney. The show features set and costume design by Emma Vine (Design, 2014), lighting design by Trudy Dalgleish (Technical Production, 1982), Erin Shaw (Technical Theatre and Stage Management, 2016) as stage manager and Renata Beslik (Costume, 2007) as costume supervisor.
Feeling inspired? Apply now to study at NIDA in 2023!
